Many of us have had questions this spring about whether there will be new policies at Nationals Park regarding outside food, cameras, or other restrictions. To date, nothing has appeared on the team’s web site.

Miss Chatter to the rescue! She has dug up the policies, and here they are:

All food items must be contained in single serving bags within a soft-sided container or cooler that does not exceed 16″ x 16″ x 8″. Metal, plastic or glass containers of any kind (except for factory-sealed, clear plastic water bottles, no larger than 1 liter, baby food, empty water bottles and juice boxes) are prohibited at Nationals Park. Only one bottle of water per person will be permitted.

Regarding food, “single serving bag” sounds quite broad and lenient. You think this mean we can bring in a wrapped hoagie as long as it’s not 16″ long?

Even for those of us eager to sample the new food vendors this year, it’s awfully nice to know that you can bring in a big bottle of water.

UPDATE: The written policies have not changed, but in practice, the enforcement has been quite friendly.

For example, multiple sealed water bottles are permitted, as long as the total doesn’t exceed 1 liter per person for all the people in your party, and even that is relaxed on hot summer days. In other words, if you have a family of four, and have a backpack with 8 half-liter bottles of water, they aren’t going to turn you away.

Outside food is similarly lenient. Yes, you can bring in a 12″ sub if you like, or a bag of burgers from Five Guys. As long as you’re not bringing in a big igloo cooler full of food, you’re probably fine.